The effect of electric field on the structural order of water molecules around chitosan between nano gold plates determined by molecular dynamics simulations

d-Limonene and 1-Pentanol Mixtures: Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Analysis Using Molecular Dynamics

Vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data of fragrance components are crucial for product development and separation processes. However, experimentally obtaining these data can often be a high-cost and challenging task. In order to address this issue, simulations of VLE data using molecular dynamics (MD) methods have gained attention, though there are still relatively few studies about the vapor-liquid equilibrium calculations of fragrance components using MD. In this study, we focused on a mixture of d-limonene and 1-pentanol as representative components and conducted MD simulations. The VLE data obtained by varying the molar fraction of d-limonene, including x-y phase diagrams and activity coefficients, showed a high degree of agreement with the experimental data. Additionally, an analysis of the density profiles on a molecular level revealed a slight increase in the concentration of 1-pentanol at the vapor-liquid interface.

Protein adsorption on blood-contacting surfaces: A thermodynamic perspective to guide the design of antithrombogenic polymer coatings

Blood-contacting medical devices often succumb to thrombosis, limiting their durability and safety in clinical applications. Thrombosis is fundamentally initiated by the nonspecific adsorption of proteins to the material surface, which is strongly governed by thermodynamic factors established by the nature of the interaction between the material surface, surrounding water molecules, and the protein itself. Along these lines, different surface materials (such as polymeric, metallic, ceramic, or composite) induce different entropic and enthalpic changes at the surface-protein interface, with material wettability significantly impacting this behavior. Consequently, protein adsorption on medical devices can be modulated by altering their wettability and surface energy. A plethora of polymeric coating modifications have been utilized for this purpose; hydrophobic modifications may promote or inhibit protein adsorption determined by van der Waals forces, while hydrophilic materials achieve this by mainly relying on hydrogen bonding, or unbalanced/balanced electrostatic interactions. This review offers a cohesive understanding of the thermodynamics governing these phenomena, to specifically aid in the design and selection of hemocompatible polymeric coatings for biomedical applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Blood-contacting medical devices often succumb to thrombosis, limiting their durability and safety in clinical applications. A plethora of polymeric coating modifications have been utilized for addressing this issue. This review offers a cohesive understanding of the thermodynamics governing these phenomena, to specifically aid in the design and selection of hemocompatible polymeric coatings for biomedical applications.